As I stepped out of the vibrant party hall, a rush of cool night air greeted me, carrying with it the distant echoes of laughter and music. The sight outside was a stark contrast to the pulsating energy within—people danced under the luminescent glow of string lights, laughter intermingling with the soft strains of music. Couples shared stolen moments of intimacy, lost in the euphoria of the night.Huffing in mild exasperation, I navigated through the jubilant crowd, my gaze sweeping over the scene of revelry. Seeing others lost in embraces and kisses heightened my sense of detachment. While the atmosphere buzzed with celebration, I yearned for solitude, a reprieve from the clamor of the festivity.Seeking solace in the quieter, darker side of the valley, I wandered away from the lively throng, my steps guided by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the trees. In this tranquil haven, I found refuge, a space to dwell in my thoughts undisturbed.As I settled in this serene sol
Stranger? I mused sardonically. Strangers indeed. I huffed and looked away from him as he leaned against the same wall where I sought solace, a perplexing silence settling between us, punctuated only by the faint whispers of the night breeze. The air crackled with unspoken words, the weight of the recent events lingering palpably.His unexpected presence ignited a tumult of conflicting thoughts within me. What was he doing here, standing beside me, when he should have been immersed in the realm of his chosen mate or comforting his grieving girlfriend? The intricacies of his life, entangled in relationships I didn't fully comprehend, stirred a simmering curiosity within me, even though I had no intention of voicing them out. It was best we remained in no speaking terms.As I stole a glance at him, his profile bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, a myriad of questions swirled within my mind. The enigma of Adam's presence beside me in this moment of turmoil and vulnerability tugged at
Adam’s words hung in the air, laden with an unspoken challenge, a line drawn in the sand. The gravity of his ultimatum reverberated through the silence, sending a jolt of apprehension coursing through me.Conflicting emotions surged within me—fear, uncertainty, and a tinge of indignation at the sudden intensity of the situation. His unexpected proposition caught me off guard, my thoughts spiraling in disarray as I grappled with the significance of his words.He would kiss me?Caught between the walls of silence and the impending threat of an unwanted advance, I stood frozen, my mind racing with a tumult of emotions. The weight of his demand bore down on me, a choice looming between breaking my silence or facing an unwelcome gesture.He wouldn’t dare!Ignoring my blaring alarming bells, I scoffed, and tried to get away from him-wondering later why I had done this, if maybe a little part of me had wanted him to rise to his challenge.Adam effortlessly drew me back with just one hand int
The resemblance in the faces of Daniel and Adam, when they were delivered an insulting blow was strong and comical. Adam was looking at me like I had punched his gut. It took him a full minute to recover from the punch. By that time, I had already taken two steps backward, my eyes darting to the lightened entrance in case I needed to make a head run away from this monster, in case he decided to get physical. He didn’t. “Why did you say that? Are you calling me a shit?” He asked rather, still looking perplexed. I was sure he wasn’t accustomed to being dissed by a girl.“At least you aren’t dumb.” I muttered, aware that he could hear me. “As I mentioned before, I don’t have the time for a chit chat. But if you are looking for someone to warm your bed tonight, then find someone else. Although, I will suggest you freshen up your mouth first, it smells like fish and garlic. Not a good combo if you ask me.” I stated nonchalantly, folding my arms across my chest, a smirk threatening to
As I glimpsed the familiar figures in the distance, a rush of adrenaline flooded my veins, setting my heart pounding against my ribcage. My breath hitched, catching in my throat as an unmistakable wave of panic surged within me. It was them—my other tormentors, approaching from afar.My muscles tensed involuntarily, and my mind raced with memories of the torment they had inflicted upon me, the scars both visible and hidden. The air felt thinner, suffocating me as I grappled with the sudden onslaught of fear and distress. Every nerve in my body seemed to vibrate with an alarming urgency, warning me of the impending confrontation.My hands trembled, and a cold sweat formed on my brow despite the mild night breeze that whispered through the trees. I fought to control the rising tide of panic, but it was an uphill battle, a war against the haunting memories and the raw emotions they evoked.I desperately sought an escape, my instincts urging me to flee, to hide from the impending confro
MayaToday was my first day at the school’s cafeteria, or rather the second time after I was discovered to be without the wolf gene. The first time, after that life changing event, had been brutal and traumatizing. It was the first time I was bullied.Now, standing before the matron who was dishing my food, I wondered if I had made the right choice, listening to Naomi.Naomi was my only friend. The only one who had remained by my side after the pack doctor’s diagnosis on my sixteenth birthday: the diagnosis that had set my perfect life on fire.Naomi had insisted that I follow her here today. It’s been a year and six months since that fateful first day, yet the memory still had a firm grip on me. I was actually counting the seconds till someone threw me a juice can, or half eaten pizza.“Maya, stop fretting. Mother promised me that the Lycan King has resolved the bullying issue. It’s over finally, best friend. Take a deep breath. Your hands are shaking.”She was right. My hands were s
“What’s going on here?!” A voice suddenly roared in the cafeteria causing the throwing competition to come to an end. Who was that? What had taken them so long? I wondered, unable to open my eyes because they were covered with liquids and food particles that had been thrown on me, more than a hundred times. When Noah had chosen to make me a target for practice, the others in the cafeteria had taken it as a go ahead to replicate the mess. Everyone in the cafeteria, except Naomi, had emptied their lunch packs on me. “Who is that sitting on the floor? Stand up!” The same hoarse voice echoed. Mr Johnson, the principal. I was sure now.It can only mean that Naomi had made the report herself. Her father was an important member of the pack’s council—she couldn’t be ignored by the school’s authorities.I tried obeying the principal’s command, I tried standing up from the floor, but my feet and hands kept slipping on the slippery floor.A hand grabbed me by my arm—certainly Naomi—and hel
I looked damn good in a bikini. The feeling was a good one to have after the crushing feeling that stemmed from not knowing my roots.“C’mon Maya, get your butt out here!'' Naomi screamed from the pool area. A weary chuckle escaped my lips when I heard the splash of water. So much for diving in together.I did a 360-degree turn in front of her mirror, amazed at what I was seeing. I stopped looking in the mirror, when my stepsister broke mine two years ago, a day after that inauspicious event that ruined my perfect life. Her reason was that I shouldn’t be bothering the mirror with my ugliness. I had been so emotionally messed up then, that I had believed her. I had changed my wardrobe overnight to baggy trousers and polos, to cover the ‘fat’.Over the years, Naomi had tried destroying these insecurities—she did to an extent—but I never looked at the mirror again. Until now.I was beautiful. I did another 360-degree turn, still coming to terms with this truth.I was curvy and sexy. I